Poroshenko orders to legalize Bandera salutation in Ukrainian army

The Soviet times’ military salute must be changed into “Glory to Ukraine!” “Glory to Heroes!” under the order of the Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko, Defense Minister Sergey Poltorak reported in his interview to Ukrinform News Agency on August 7.

According to the order, phrases “Hello, comrades!” and “Wish you all good health!” are planned to be changed into “Glory to Ukraine!” and “Glory to Heroes!”

Sergey Poltorak also stressed that this very salute phrase will be used on August 24 at a military parade commemorating the Independence Day, “During the Parade, we are planning to show that this salute is much more Ukrainian, much more ours.”“Glory to Ukraine!” and “Glory to Heroes!” salute words followed by putting one’s right arm up on the Hitler’s Germany model were used by the “Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists” (banned in Russia). Additionally, this kind of salute was used in Mussolini’s Italy as well as by Croatian Ustashes. Similar salutes were adopted at the second congress of the OUN (organization banned in Russia) in Rome in August 1939.

Recently, Zhitomir regional council declared the year 2019 to be the year of Stepan Bandera, and it scheduled various celebrations. Stepan Bandera was a leader of the Ukrainian nationalists’ military wing, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (organization banned in Russia). The Ukrainian Insurgent Army (organization banned in Russia) fought alongside Hitler’s Germany during the Great Patriotic War; it was known for its horrific punitive operations against civilians.